As mentioned earlier, a spreadsheet is a calculator. Not only can you add two numbers, but you can add two cells. Cell referencing is where the power of a spreadsheet lies.


	A	B	C	D
1	Item	Budget	January	February
2	Rent	$650	$650	$650
3	Groceries	$200	$195	$210
4	Utilities	$250	$250	$250
5	Totals	=650+200+250	=C2+C3+C4	=SUM(D2:D4)

Row 5 of the table shows formulas to add the values of the cells above. In column B they are added as you would in a calculator. In a spreadsheet you should never retype numbers that are on the sheet. In column C they are added using the cell references. When a number on the sheet is needed we should always use its cell reference. In column D they are added using the function SUM(). Notice that the argument of the function is D2:D4. The colon means that all cells in between D2 and D4 should be used. This is referred to as a range of values. The method in column D is the best method to use.

Check out the next few tutorials, Common Spreadsheet Tasks, at GCFlearnfree.org to learn more. Complete Google Sheets tutorials 12 through 16 and report back in the following assignment. Be sure to choose a relevant name for each file you copy from the challenges and move it to your new folder for the sheets challenges created earlier.

Each of the lessons below has a challenge to complete. Be sure to choose a relevant name for each file you copy from the challenges and move it to your new folder for the sheets challenges created earlier.

Complete Google Sheets challenge 12 on Creating Simple Formulas.

Creating simple formulas
creating formulas
Challenge! GCFLearnFree L12: Classroom Budget

Complete Google Sheets challenge 13 on Creating Complex Formulas.

Complex formulas
Challenge! GCFLearnFree L13: IT Order Form

Complete Google Sheets challenge 14 on Types of Cell References.

Types of cell references
Absolute references
Challenge! GCFLearnFree L14: Monthly Expenses and Order Form

Complete Google Sheets challenge 15 on Working with Functions.

Basic functions
Creating a function
Google Sheets function list
Challenge! GCFLearnFree L15: Exercise Log
NOTE: For the result in cell E28, you will need to change the number format so it displays as a duration, not a date.

Complete Google Sheets challenge 16 on Sorting and Filtering Data.

Sorting and filtering data
Challenge! GCFLearnFree L16: Library Books on Loan and Workout Log

After completing each of these challenges you will need to provide a shared link to the folder you put them in from your Google Drive. You will provide this link in the assignment following this tutorial.